Great Hiking and Walking Trails Around the Morro Bay Estuary

Open spaces and hiking trails to explore rank high on our list of things we’re grateful for at the Morro Bay National Estuary Program. The land that surrounds the estuary is contoured by hills and valleys, studded with trees, and etched by creeks that take their time winding down to the salt marsh and entering bay. In short, it is a beautiful place that offers many opportunities for casual strolls and more strenuous treks. Whether you’re planning a much-needed walk after a festive family dinner, or looking for something fun to do on your day off, we have …

Best Fall Hikes in Los Osos Near the Morro Bay Estuary

November 21, 2020 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program boardwalk trail broderson elfin forest estuary fall hikes femef friends of el morro elfin forest hike hikes hiking los osos MBNEP mental health monarch monarch butterflies monarch grove monarchs morro bay morro coast audubon society nature opt outside outdoors outside recreation stress relief wellness where to see monarchs Blog Posts Hiking Recreation

The land that surrounds the Morro Bay estuary is contoured by hills and valleys, studded with trees, and etched by creeks that take their time winding down to the salt marsh and entering bay. In short, it is a beautiful place that offers many opportunities to get outside and explore. A study done by Stanford researchers shows that making time to enjoy the natural spaces around us by hiking, walking, or even just visiting with friends in natural spaces can decrease stress and may lessen the risk of depression. During the study, they asked participants to take a …

Hike from Home: Tour the Portola Point Trail with Us

April 10, 2020 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program blue dicks flower flowers hiking humming bird sage morro bay native california plants Portola point trail stay home sticky monkey flower trails in morro bay Blog Posts

This too shall pass, but until then, here is a reminder of the beauty that Morro Bay has to offer. History of Portolá Point trail Portolá Point offers one of the best viewpoints in Morro Bay, allowing you to see a scenic panorama that includes the Morro Bay estuary, the sandspit, and distant Morro Rock. The name of the trail comes from Gaspar de Portolá, who was in charge of the Portolá expedition from 1769-1770. This was an expedition of land and sea. The goal was to travel from San Diego to Monterey Bay, but they somehow passed it and …

Best spring hikes around the Morro Bay estuary

March 15, 2019 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program blue dick hike hiking morro bay hike morro bay wildflowers sticky monkey flower things to do in Morro Bay what to do in morro bay wild hyacinth wildflowers central coast Blog Posts

This year, the hills and valleys that surround the Morro Bay estuary are alive with green grasses and golden poppies just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. If you take a closer look, you’ll also see the deep pinks and purples of hummingbird sage, the dawn-sky blue and light purple hues of wild hyacinth, and the bright colors of many more wildflowers. Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite springtime hikes in the Morro Bay watershed. Family-friendly hikes We’re lucky to have quite a few hikes for the whole family around Morro Bay. Here are a few that will …

Opt Outside this Fall with Hikes Around Morro Bay

August 31, 2018 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program broderson elfin forest estuary hike hiking los osos MBNEP monarch monarch grove morro bay nature outdoors outside recreation stress relief wellness Blog Posts Recreation

A view from the Elfin Forest during the summer.

The land that surrounds the Morro Bay estuary is contoured by hills and valleys, studded with trees, and etched by creeks that take their time winding down to the salt marsh and entering bay. In short, it is a beautiful place that offers many opportunities to get outside and explore. But, as summer winds down, students head back to school, and the sun starts to set earlier in the day, many of us spend more time inside than out. Studies show that making time to enjoy the natural spaces around us by hiking, walking, or even just visiting …

Fun Ways to Explore Morro Bay on Memorial Day

May 27, 2016 Posted by Morro Bay National Estuary Program birding birding in morro bay central coast cerro cabrillo estuary fun things to do in Morro Bay geo cache geocache geocaching hike hiking memorial day weekend morro bay turtle rock valencia peak Blog Posts

A beautiful view of the estuary channels taken from one of the many hiking trails above South Bay Boulevard in the upper reaches of Morro Bay State Park.

Whether you’re a Central Coast local who’s staying home this holiday weekend, or a visitor coming from the valley or further out of town, Morro Bay offers a host of fun outdoor activities. Here are some of our favorite ways to explore the bay and surrounding watershed. Go birding Bring your scope or binoculars and visit one of the area’s numerous birding spots. The Elfin Forest in Los Osos offers the chance to see species that thrive in the Coastal Dune Scrub and a variety of other local habitat types. You can also head down to the estuary overlook to …